OXO Good Grips Bypass Pruners #16043

• Versatile bypass hand shears with 3/4-inch-diameter cutting capacity
• Hardened, Teflon-coated, steel cutting blades provide maximum cutting strength
• Conveniently located locking switch; easily accessible by both left- or right-handed users
• Convenient for gardening and various yardwork projects; soft, comfortable non-slip grip
• Measures 8 by 1 by 2 inches

NOT up to OXO standards, took over 2 mos to arrive:
Correct about poor alignment. I've worked with these for a week, cutting shrubs, flowers, simple plants and I can't lock them anymore. The handle is good on the hand, but they don't do the job I expected of Oxo or even a medium brand. They hang up on wet bush branches, okay for geraniums or roses, but not for trimming back bushes. They are a disappointment. AND they took literally months to arrive!

OXO Good Grips do not make the cut!:
These hand shears look good but are a problem to use. The shear's lock is in a position that locks the shears on just about every cut. The construction is fragile. A real disappointment. Using my old shears.

So far....it's great!:
I just started using this clipper and it really does cut plant stems beautifully. However, I find I still need to return to my OLD Felco #7 to cut the larger branches. I use to have very strong hands and arms but now I need tools to help me out on that front. These OXO shears do not do that as well. I know I'll use these clippers for minor pruning on small or new wood since they do fit nicely in my hands and work very well but I'll need to carry my old pruners with me too. In time I'll find out how long they maintain their sharp cutting edge. With the Felco, I sharpen once in spring and I'm set for the year but I'll have to get back to you about the OXO pruner's sharpness quality. I do recommend these pruners since the price is great and they are very comfortable to use.

Returning these for exchange:
I just got these today. The "conveniently located locking switch that is easily accessible by both left- or right-handed users" has a lock made of plastic retaining a spring-loaded piece of steel. Guess what? In a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, steel always beats plastic, so there is now a groove carved in the plastic. It has never closed. My wife likes the shears and appreciates the gift, but thinks they should be able to lock. I agree. We'll see if there was a defect in this one or whether it is a design flaw.

Excellent Value:
Great value for the price. Nice, sharp blades and comfortable in your hand. Easily as good as those twice the price sold in home stores, assuming they last.